Saturn Ion Complaints (2003)
758 consumer complaints on file.
- #10579618April 14, 2014FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL LEAK WAS PRESENT FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10578788April 10, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT RENDERED IT A COMPLETE TOTAL LOSS IN 2012. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10579015April 10, 2014AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WAS DRIVING ON WET ROAD APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION. BEFORE ENTERING THE INTERSECTION THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING. I SLOWED DOWN TO LET THE TUCK IN FRONT OF ME PICK UP SPEED. AS I APPROACHED A BLACK PICKUP BACKED INTO TRAFFIC CAUSING MULTIPLE CARS TO STOP IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED ON MY BREAKS BUT COULD NOT STOP CAUSING ME TO STRIKE THE TRUCK IN FRONT O ME WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. UPON IMPACT MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECENTLY RECEIVED THE IGNITION RECALL NOTICE, BUT THE LETTER SAID PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10577884April 7, 2014STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE POWER STEERING REGAINED NORMAL FUNCTION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,333 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 5/27/14*CN
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10578037April 7, 2014STEERING
AT ALL SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. STARTED WHEN MAKING A TURN. STEERING DID NOT RETURN AFTER TURNING HAD TO MANUALLY FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL TURN BACK TO STRAIGHT POSITION. RACK AND PINION COULD BE THE ISSUE. ALSO MAKES A GROWLING/RUBBING SOUND. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10577748April 6, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR IT WOULDN'T START, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS BECAUSE IT SAT FOR A LONG TIME. THIS PROBLEMHAS BEEN CONSTANTLY BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE IN EXTREME WEATHER. I WAS TOLD DURING ONE SHOP INSPECTION IT WAS ELECTRICAL AND THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THIS BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT. WITH THIS CASE IT HAS SHUT MY RADIO ON AND OFF AND A BIG ISSUE THAT I HAVE IS WHEN I AM STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON MY BRAKE THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND JERK FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS IN THE CITY WHEN I'M DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS. I'VE HAD TO RUN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING PEOPLE, THE ONLY THING THAT SAVES ME FROM HITTING ANYONE AT LIGHTS OR SIGNS IS MY SAFETY GAP BETWEEN ME AND A FRONT CAR. I'VE BEEN LATE FOR WORK, RUINED VACATIONS, BEEN STRANDED WITH AN INFANT IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER, AND WASTED A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND HAVE HEARD EVERY EXCUSE FOR THE PROBLEMS...YOU GUYS HAVE FINALLY STEPPED IN ON ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE BEEN HAVING NOW GM NEEDS TO ANSWER THE REST. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS. IF YOU DO A SEARCH ONLINE YOU CAN PULL UP 100S OF ISSUES EXACTLY THE SAME. I HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS WHEN I TOOK IT ONTO SATURN DEALERS. NOW I HAVE DOORS THAT DON'T SEAL BUT I'M SURE THIS IS BECAUSE IT'S OLD OR OTHER EXCUSES. I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE MY KIDS AREN'T SAFE IN IT. I CAN'T EVEN HAVE A CLEAN CONSCIOUS TRADING IT IN SO I STILL AM STUCK WITH IT. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BEFORE BUT NO ONE LISTENS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10576614April 2, 2014STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT SHE HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE TO MAKE A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10575588April 2, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
2003 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL INFORMATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IS THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR GETTING THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10576783April 2, 2014STEERING
THIS IS MORE OF A QUESTION / COMMENT THAN AN INCIDENT. IT APPEARS THAT GM IS RECALLING SATURN IONS, MODEL YEARS 2004-2007 FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE 2003 ION MODELS DO NOT SEEM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS, FROM WHAT I CAN TELL FROM REPLACEMENT PART SITES, THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE IDENTICAL PART, #19207619 ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10576256April 1, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY STOP WORKING DISPLAY A POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE ON DASHBOARD AND ENTER MANUAL STEERING MODE. I WOULD PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TURN VEHICLE OFF AND ON TO RESET COMPUTER AND STEERING TO BRING IT BACK TO A NORMAL CONDITION. AS TIME PROGRESSED THE FAULT WOULD APPEAR MORE FREQUENTLY BEFORE GETTING IT REPAIRED AT LOCAL SATURN AUTHORIZED REPAIR GM FACILITY. PAID CLOSE TO $1,000 FOR THE REPAIR AND PARTS. NOW THAT VEHICLE HAS LIFETIME WARRANTY ALL PERVIOUS REPAIRS SHOULD BE REFUNDED TO CONSUMERS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10575930March 31, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THEY KEY SNAPPED AND WAS BROKEN INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON AUGUST 23, 2010. SHE WAS TOLD TO GET A LOCKSMITH BECAUSE THE KEY BROKE IN THE IGNITION LOCK. THE CONTACT CURRENTLY HAS A RENTAL VEHICLE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS WERE DUE IN ON APRIL 1, 2010; HOWEVER, TO CALL ON NEXT MONDAY SINCE THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN THE RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUE MOVING THE KEY AROUND IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT IT WOULD COST HER $125 IN ORDER FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION FOR TWO WEEKS AND THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000, AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SHE IS PAYING $7 PER DAY FOR THE RENTAL VEHICLE. SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST ADDING UP AND GETTING REIMBURSED. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT ONLY 12 TO 13 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED DUE TO THE RECALL. HER VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION FOR TWO WEEKS. SHE WAS TOLD THE LETTER WOULDN'T COME UNTIL APRIL OR JUNE BUT SHE RECEIVED IT ON MARCH 14, 2014. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,131. UPDATED 6/26/14*CN UPDATED 07/09/2014 *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10575736March 30, 2014VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE THROTTLE POSITION SWITCH FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO QUIT. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. REPLACING THE TPS CURED THE PROBLEM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10575510March 29, 2014ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IT DON'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT WON'T START YOU TURN THE KEY AND NOTHING HAPPEN AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT 15 MINUTES AND TRY TO START IT MOST THE TIME IT WILL START BUT THERE WERE AFEW THAT IT TOOK A HALF HOUR SITTING AND WAITING FOR IT TO RESET HAD MY CAR IN THE DEALER WANT TIME AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THEY SAID NOTHING CAN BEEN DONE ABOUT IT INTIL IT HAPPEN TO THEM EVEN WHOSE THE DASHBOARD COMPUTER SAY SERVICE ENGINES AND IT COULD HAPPEN EVERYDAY FOR A WEEK THAN IT COULD BE MONTHS BEFORE IT DOSE IT AGAIN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10575427March 28, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
WHILE DRIVING, COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. ALL DASH LIGHTS OUT. GAUGES ZERO. STEERING DIFFICULT. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10574571March 25, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
LETTER FROM SENATOR TOOMEY ON BEHALF OF A CONSTITUENT RE GM RECALL ( ATTN: AUBREY YANZITO CAN BE REACHED BY EMAIL: [email protected], FAX AT 717-782-4920 OR PHONE: 717-782-3951 OR MAIL). *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART UNTIL APRIL 2014. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF GM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR A RENTAL VEHICLE, UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE FIXED. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10574822March 25, 2014SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM ABOUT THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL EITHER LAST WEEK OR THE WEEK BEFORE. IT STATED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION KEY ONLY, NOT EVEN WITH THE KEY FOB. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE PART IS NO LONGER MADE FOR MY VEHICLE. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS NO RISK OF IGNITION FAILURE AS LONG AS THE DRIVER USES THE KEY ONLY. I HAVE FAITHFULLY FOLLOWED THAT SINCE RECEIVING MY LETTER. I AM TELLING YOU THAT INFORMATION IS FALSE. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME TONIGHT, I NOTICED THE ENGINE SOUNDED DIFFERENT. THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, AND MY BRAKES ONLY RESPONDED TO VERY HEAVY PRESSURE. BASICALLY I HAD LITTLE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY FROM HOME. I TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE AND THEN BACK ON. IT WAS AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. I AM PANICKED NOW. THANK GOODNESS THIS HAPPENED AFTER I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS AFTER RUSH HOUR. I'M NOT SURE I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN INTO THAT PARKING LOT WITHOUT INCIDENT IF THERE WAS HEAVIER TRAFFIC. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED GM WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND TOLD THEM THE CAR WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE, EVEN WITH THE IGNITION KEY ONLY. CUSTOMER SERVICE DIDN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THE DANGER. WE'LL SEE IF THEY FOLLOW UP. I HOPE YOU FOLLOW UP AS WELL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10574128March 22, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING FOR YEARS WITH MY CAR NOT WANTING TO START. I HAD THIS TO MANY GARAGES AND EVEN THE SATURN DEALER AND NO ONE COULD FIND A PROBLEM. FINALLY THE CAR JUST STOPPED STARTING, AND THEN I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS SEEMED TO WORK FOR 2 DAYS AND THEN MY CAR JUST DIED ELECTRICALLY ON FEBRUARY 21ST AND ON THE 26TH THE GARAGE REPAIRED THIS WHICH COST ME $309.00. THE VERY NEXT DAY THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS ANNOUNCED. WILL YOU REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR? THIS SEEMS APPROPRIATE SINCE THIS WAS ULTIMATELY THE FAULT OF THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND I AM JUST FORTUNATE THAT AN ACCIDENT WAS NOT INVOLVED SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2005. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10573046March 18, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE DID RESTART AFTER THIRTY MINUTES OF WAITING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,497.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10573160March 18, 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING OUR 2003 SATURN ION WE PURCHASED THE CAR THROUGH RIGHT WAY LOCATED IN LIVONIA, MI IN APRIL 2013. SINCE DECEMBER 2013 THE IGNITION TURNS OFF WHILE WE ARE DRIVING AND IT HAS STOPPED ON US FIVE OR SIX TIMES. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC UNIQUE AUTO REPAIR LOCATED IN DETROIT, MI TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS...THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. ALSO, A LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON THE PANEL; DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE IGNITION. IN ORDER TO START THE CAR, MY FIANCE WOULD HAVE TO LIFT THE HOOD OF THE CAR TO START IT AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS ITEM IS CALLED. THIS IS TAKING UP OUR TIME AND TIME OFF OF WORK WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT START. IT HAS ALSO SPARKED SEVERAL TIMES ON US; THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ME AND MY FIANCE HAS MADE PLANS TO TRAVEL TO ATLANTA, GA IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. WE WERE GOING TO USE OUR CAR FOR TRANSPORTATION; BUT WE DO NOT TRUST THE CAR AT ALL. WE NEED A LOANER (VEHICLE) TO TRAVEL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10573244March 18, 2014STRUCTURE:BODY, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BOULEVARD, I WAS DOING 40 MPH THERE WAS A POLICE CAR IN FRONT AND THERE WAS MAYBE ABOUT 2 CAR LENGTH DISTANCE FROM HIM. THE LIGHT HIT YELLOW AND I SAW HIM BRAKE SO I STARTED BRAKING AS WELL BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED INCREASING, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I WAS SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES BUT MY CAR DID NOT STOP. MY CAR SLAMMED INTO THE POLICE CAR WITHIN SECONDS. MY CAR WAS DESTROYED. MY HOOD WAS BENT IN HALF, MY FRONT BUMPER SCRATCHED & PEELED. THE BUMPER STOOD ON THE CAR ONLY BECAUSE I KEPT TRYING TO BRAKE AND THE CAR WENT IN AN ANGLE WHERE IT WENT UNDER THE COPS CAR. BOTH MY SIDE FENDERS CRACKED AND MY FRONT LIGHT WAS DESTROYED. THE WHOLE CAR FRAME IS DESTROYED AND I WAS HELD AT FAULT OF THIS ACCIDENT. MY INSURANCE WENT UP, I DIDN'T GET NO MONEY TO HELP FIX MY CAR NOR CHECK THE PROBLEM. IF THERE IS WAY I CAN GET ANY TYPE OF HELP I WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE IT. 5 MONTHS LATER THE SAME SITUATION HAPPENED AGAIN THANK GOD I WAS NOT DRIVING MY VEHICLE IT WAS PARKED. IT WAS JUST ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I LEFT IT PARKED FOR A WEEK AND WHEN I TURNED IT ON IT WAS FINE. IM SCARED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, PLEASE HELP ME OUT. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0